Whether he’s a “Pirate” or a “Lethal Weapon,” James Lew always finds himself in the middle of the action ImageDuring the filming of “Boston Legal’s” final episode, James Lew approached series star William Shatner. Lew was performing stunts for a scene involving Chinese lawyers.

“Excuse me, Mr. Shatner, do you remember me? I am the one who almost chopped your head off during Star Trek: Generations.”

Shatner looked puzzled at first, but then let out as huge laugh. “Now I remember, I tell that story to everyone. That was close.”

As one of Hollywood’s premiere stuntmen, close is how Lew likes to play it. The closer the better, in fact. There are a lot of unemployed Hollywood stuntmen who like to play it safe. James, on the other hand, works. All the time, because he has earned a reputation in the industry as a professional with a solid work ethic who does not disappoint. And in the stunt world, that means throwing caution to the wind. Which can translate to throwing yourself through a window or out of a car.

Hundreds of movies and television appearances. Thousands of fight scenes. Millions of hours of rehearsal time spent making milliseconds memorable to a viewing audience. What Lew does goes largely unnoticed. He’s content to work behind the screen so other can look good on the screen.

“I love what I do and most times it doesn’t even feel I am working.” Like when he spent six weeks in Bermuda with Johnny Deep and Chow Yun Fat shooting fights for . But then there are days when you wish you sold insurance. Like when Jet Li chokes you out on a cinder-draped rooftop and you wake up with half your face resembling an ignored country asphalt road.

ImageThrough it all, Lew continues to use his craft to push his true love—kung-fu—and the principles that have made him one of the most well-liked and well-respected people in Hollywood. His latest project is a tribute to fellow stunt/actors everywhere.

www.FightsCameraAction.com is a Web site for stunt people by stunt people, a kind of YouTube with car crashes and sidekicks.

There was an old joke in Hollywood that anytime a stung coordinator needed Chinese action, there were only three people to call: Al Leong, Jeff Imada and James Lew. Al’s had health problems and Jeff has taken his career to the other side of the camera. But James Lew. He’s as close as a phone call. And Hollywood would have it no other way.
--D.C.

INSIDE KUNG-FU: James, you’ve done so many fights. Name your top five and why?

JAMES LEW: One of the great benefits of doing interviews is that it lets me take the time to reflect on my life and career. My top five fight scenes…I really have to flip through my resume to narrow down my favorites. I estimate the sheer number of fight scenes that I have been very fortunate to play in totals almost 500! Of course, this does not include the fight scenes that I have been lucky enough to choreograph and that list is close to 1,000 fight scenes!

Number 5 would be in the independent movie called, Boogie Boy with the star and good friend, Mark Dacascos. What makes this special to me was that it was an opportunity to work with Mark Dacascos, an extremely gifted martial artist and film fighter to create a raw but yet poetic fight scene driven by high emotional stakes from both characters.

Number 4 is from, Red Sun Rising, a movie that pits me against the legendary Don “The Dragon” Wilson. With this choice as one of my favorites I am considering the cumulative fight scenes that I got to perform in the movie. I was cast as Jaho, the lead villain that possessed the heightened power of internal energy and harnessed the secret technique of the “death touch.” This was a fantastic opportunity to take the creative license of film fantasy and make my character bigger than life. Many times when working on a movie the input and creative freedom is suppressed, because the star does not want the antagonist to have “cooler” moves than he does. Don Wilson was completely open and extremely supportive of letting me fly with making my character bad guy. And, of course, when the hero makes a comeback and defeats the villain in the end it makes better drama!

Number 3 is from a classic Hong Kong movie, originally called, The Young Dragon and now released as, The Enforcer. It was my first and most impressionable experience in the Hong Kong-style kung-fu movie genre. The movie was a period martial arts movie and shot in Taiwan. After growing up watching all the classic Hong Kong martial arts movies and then finding myself playing the hero in one, it was a martial artist’s fantasy comes true! The “on the job” lessons that I received proved to be the most valuable foundation for my career as a stuntman and stunt/fight coordinator.

Number 2 is from the cult classic, Big Trouble In Little China. I was involved in numerous fights as myself and fight doubling several different performers. The one particular fight that stands out is the big alley gang fight. I got to mix it up with the legendary Al Leong. The tone of the scene was to make it a rough martial arts streetfight but with a stylized flair. Working opposite someone that not only has the physical ability, but the technical film fighting knowledge is when you get to create magic. I do not have to worry about my opponent being in the right position and distance for me to execute a move. I do not have to be concerned that he might not duck in time when I explode at him with a kick. Nor do I have to worry about my opponent throwing a punch at me when it is not choreographed. Just like a great acting scene, the fight moves are the dialogue and if both actors have their dialogue down all that is left to do is to let it all go and be in the moment to create magic in the scene.

Number 1 without a doubt is from the movie Hot Shots, Part Deux. This was a parody of the Thai kickboxer fighter vs. John Rambo in Rambo 3. Primarily, the reason it rates number one on my list is that I just had so damn much fun shooting the scene. I discovered working on this spoof fight scene that this is the kind of movie I would love to do more than anything. In fact, it was the seed that grew into my own inspiration to finally write, produce, direct and star in, 18 Fingers of Death.

IKF: You were rendered unconscious in Lethal Weapon IV. Is that the worst you’ve ever gotten hurt?

JL: The stunt business has its inherent dangers and the science of what we do is to minimize that. On Lethal Weapon IV, the fight scene was with Jet Li, his debut movie in American cinema. After getting smacked every which way by Jet Li, his final move was to use his strand of beads to choke me out. We did two takes with the beads around my neck and I faked passing out. The third take was a closer angle. A few moments after “action” was called I found myself lying face planted on the ground and then looking up at the sky. I remember asking myself what the heck I was doing down on the ground. I stood up to find blood gushing from my nose and it dawned on me that I was choked out courtesy of Mr. Li, I guess those were not Buddhist love beads that he used. But, it was just ripped skin on my face, a bloody nose and a little damaged pride. Just another day in the stunt world.

IKF: Is there anyone you’d like to do a stunt with but haven’t?

JL: I would love to work with Tony Jaa, the action superstar from Thailand. When I first saw his movie, Ong Bak, it renewed an excitement in me for action martial arts movies. I screamed out, here is a talent that brings the best of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li all in one package!

IKF: Why is a guy like Tony Jaa still flying under the radar?

JL: The secret to why someone makes it big in the movie business is one of the great mysteries in life. Timing, the right vehicle and maybe it is just “karma” that stands in the way. A great example is the progression of Jackie Chan’s career. He was hands-down the biggest star in Asia and even the rest of the world, but relatively unknown to the mainstream America until the last 10 years.

IKF: What is the secret to a great stunt?

JL: Everything must come together to make a truly great stunt. By that I am talking about the right stunt talent, stunt coordinator, director, story, director of photography, production designer, wardrobe, editor, even the right music and sound effects! It is absolutely a team effort that must collaborate to create a great stunt.

IKF: Is the advent of wirework and CGI good for the industry?

JL: If you operate with only the knowledge of the present then you are already behind. It is vital to think beyond today’s way of doing things. Reinvent. Innovate. Dare to take a chance on something fresh. The advent of today’s wirework and CGI has brought entertainment to another level. I personally love the marriage of technology and the craft of movie making. Some feel threatened that the wirework and computer advances will destroy the stunt business or even make it nonexistent. What is exciting to me is that the stunt industry can now create any kind of action that can be imagined and do it safely. I have been fortunate to work as the stunt coordinator on videos games such as “Matrix, The Path of Neo” and the soon-to-be-released “G.I. Joe” game that use the technology of motion capture. This technology uses stunt players wearing special suits rigged with sensors that send exact movement data to a computer. Any movement can be then used to create characters that come to life for the video game. This same technology is being used more in the movies. There will always be work in the entertainment business but only if you are moving forward with what is coming or even better be the visionary of what is to come.

IKF: Who were your stunt heroes growing up?

JL: The two most influential and inspiring action icons to me were Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.

IKF: Your background is in traditional shaolin. How often do you train in kung-fu?

JL: In the highest definition, true “kung-fu” is training your body and mind toward the best person that you can be. In the traditional kung-fu styles, I have trained in Bak Mei pai (white eyebrow style) and five animal style. But even in the beginning of my martial arts education I was always curious and loved learning many styles. The different martial arts styles that I studied ranged from Korean style, Thai kicking boxing, wushu etc. So, my “kung-fu” has always been about using every kind of training that is available to improve both my physical and spiritual well being. So, besides the traditional and non-traditional martial arts styles I have included the benefits of gymnastics, ballet, fencing, hip hop dance, track and field, etc., into my kung-fu life.

IKF: What is your workout regimen like?

JL: Fortunately, my work schedule has been so busy that getting time and energy to workout has been a huge challenge. And, there is no excuse so I have to admit that I have neglected that part of my life. And the price to be paid is a deterioration of both the physical, psychological and emotional well-being. I am the first to admit that I can be lazy just like everybody else. But, that is okay. In fact, I think it is even good to take a break from any regular regimen. This is a great way to open your mind and heart to new adventures and ideas. I just recently signed up for yoga classes. It felt like this is something I need to pursue right now. Several years ago tried yoga for a short period of time, but I didn’t feel compelled to stay with it. At that time I went back to my regular schedule of “martial arts” stretching. My stretching training is very much like a yoga session. I usually did a very long intense but relaxing stretch session three times a week. Breathing has always been an essential part of every stretch I do. This is the same principal with yoga. So, without prior yoga knowledge I was already practicing stretching with the same releasing and meditative benefits. I am a strong believer in using the resistance of weight training to strengthen muscles, elongate muscles, promote cardio health and build density in the bones. Experiment with a system that you enjoy because ultimately that is the one you will maintain.

IKF: What advice would you give people who want to enter the stunt game?

JL: First and most important is for you to feel that the stunt business needs to be something you must do…it must be your passion! It is never about reaching that final goal or being the most successful stuntman or stunt coordinator. Really enjoy the process. I often come across stuntmen and stunt coordinators that are not thrilled about the work. They are too focused on the money. I am finding myself even more appreciative now and just plain loving more any opportunity to work. When I am on the set it feels like this is exactly where I belong. So, when you are not working or if you are still trying to get in the stunt business keep practicing and learning anything you can about the stunt business. Notice that it is called the stunt “business.” Treat it like any professional job. You must learn your trade. You must have continuing education. You must push yourself and be the best that you can be. And this is because you love the process and not just the results of being a successful stuntman or stunt coordinator.

I constantly receive requests for advice or help about the stunt business. I am very honored that people find me from all over the world and contact me on MySpace, Facebook, through my agent, through the magazines etc. It certainly has been a blessing that I have made a fantastic career in the entertainment industry. I wanted to find a way to give back, share and help those who really believe in their destiny to participate in the action world. The amazing contacts and resources that are available to me are ready to join the team. I am very excited to announce the creation of the ultimate Web site that is dedicated to the world of action and all of its fans.

Coming in January, 2009 will be the launch of www.FightsCameraAction.com. It will be open to anyone who has an action video to upload. Worldwide exposure for all the talented stuntmen, stuntwomen, stunt coordinators, fight choreographers, directors and producers that want to showcase their video. We will feature instructional videos on stunts, fights and all aspects of movie making, as well as video interviews with stunt coordinators, fight choreographers, stuntmen, stuntwomen, directors, producers and actors. There also will be movie reviews and news on upcoming action movies. Imagine an online International Short Action Film Festival that will be judged by celebrity directors, producers, action actors and also an open popular vote category for best movie. Yes, that is huge recognition for your hard work. Another exciting part is our “Internet action channel” that will air original action entertainment. This Web site will be at no cost to all the action movie enthusiasts. We have an extraordinary team that is dedicated to make this Web site your place to hang out.

For more information, visit www.FightsCameraAction.com

Up Close
Name: James Lew
Born: Sept. 6, 1952
Birthplace: Los Angeles
Ht: 5-9 Wt: 165
Awarded Black Belt: 1972
Style: Kung-Fu
Trained By: Doug Wong
Favorite Technique: Jump Hook Spin Kick
Notable: Produced and directed his own film, <18 Fingers of Death>.
Movie Credits: Pirates of the Caribbean 3, Charlie’s Angels, Lethal Weapon IV, Rush Hour, Hot Shots, Part Deux, Time Cop
TV Credits: “Family Matters,” “The Crow,” “Star Trek Voyager,” “Growing Pains,” “Roseanne,” “Walker, Texas Ranger”
Fact: James is a member of the prestigious Hollywood Stuntman Association, and is considered one of Hollywood's top martial arts fight coordinators.
Contact: www.jameslew.com